UCP Develops “Thrones” Author’s “Wild Cards”

“Game of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin could be bringing another massive fantasy world to the small screen as Universal Cable Productions has acquired the rights to develop Martin’s anthology series “Wild Cards”.

Martin announced the news on his blog and says that, due to his exclusive development agreement with HBO, he will not be involved in the project. Instead, executive producer duties will be handed over to Martin’s assistant editor and famed “Star Trek: The Next Generation” writer Melinda Snodgrass along with Gregory Noveck.

Martin’s book is set in an alternate world in which an alien virus was released in the skies over Manhattan in 1946, ultimately spreading across an unsuspecting Earth. 90% died horribly (black queen), 9% were deformed (jokers), and a lucky 1% scored extraordinary and unpredictable powers (aces).

The work spans books, graphic novels, games and boasts an enormous cast of characters both major and minor.” The first volume was published in 1986, with 22 volumes released to date. The hope is it will make it to the screen in the next year or two.

Universal Cable Productions is also behind such series as “Mr. Robot,” “12 Monkeys,” “Suits” and “The Magicians” amongst others.